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Rays Trade. Why?

Posted by JSmith11

735 days ago

I may be the only D-Rays... er Rays fan on this site, but I have to say that I'm not too sure how I feel about the trade they made yesterday with the Twinkies. I am aware that Matt Garza is a quality young arm and will give us a solid number three starter and we filled the void at shortstop as well, but Delmon Young was one of the few reason I actually drove the forty minutes to see the Rays play. The guy's upside seems never ending and his arm already rivals Vlad's from a few years back. This seems to me that Tampa Bay is putting all their eggs in the basket with Baldelli's pathetic hamstrings and Duke's crazy mind. Speaking for most of the few Rays fans left, Garza and Bartlett will have some large shoes to fill. And it may just take both of them to do it.

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Oh No RomoDraft Pick

735 days ago

Score 3

That's not true. Manny is a Rays fan. He might be the Ultimate Ass Kicker of Rays Fans

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Tmil42AAA-er

735 days ago

Score 4

The Rays have a ton of outfielders, that was the position they could afford to thin out. They weren't going to get anything of value for Baldelli (too injury-prone) or Dukes (to call his makeup questionable would be like calling Mo Vaughn a little big), so they traded Young. They still have Carl Crawford and B.J. Upton, two fantastic outfielders, and they managed to pick up a quality starter. Garza's not exactly Santana, Haren, or Bedard, but he's 24 and he posted a 3.69 ERA in 2007. I think it's a fair trade, and the spare parts that the Twins and Rays traded (Bartlett for Brendan Harris and Eduardo Morlan for Jason Pridie) definitely came out in favor of the Rays.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

735 days ago

Score 3

Carl and BJ are pillars in left and center. Dukes isn't what everyone thinks he is (and he'll end up at 1st some day), Baldelli WILL get healthy again (his trade value was low) and you have to trade talent to get talent. Plus they are trying to make sure people know they're the "Rays" now.... even though they've been the Rays as long as I've been a fan - they announced it LAST year!

Longoria's coming, Justin Ruggiano (the RF of the future) is a stud in the making. The Rays are building the Braves way. Get 4 aces and stock your farm system.

If the Rays were truly inept they would have skunked on their draft picks too. They've picked well...

Sternberg is rebuilding the brand name. He's using a successful business rebuilding model on the baseball team's business. Genius!

The market is devoid of corner outfielders. Delmon Young can go on to have a Hall of Fame career, the Rays STILL get another #1 pick in June.

Garza will be a stud to trot out next to Kazmir and Shields, PLUS David Price!!

JSmith11JV Squad

735 days ago

Score 5

See I know you're right. I think I'm just a little partial to Delmon because I watched him play a ton this year.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

735 days ago

Score 2

I'm a little partial to Delmon Young, too...

Tmil42AAA-er

735 days ago

Score 2

I can't blame you for feeling that way. I'd be the same way if the Mets traded away John Maine, I kind of like having him around.

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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

735 days ago

Score 1

Q: Why? A: Why Not?

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JSmith11JV Squad

735 days ago

Score 2

Touche, salesman.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

735 days ago

Score 2

I just sent you an imaginary Fencing Foil Gift

DNLLegend

735 days ago

Score 3

I agree with Tmil42, but at the same time, you're getting a guy who could be an ace for a decade. And you have a deep outfield.

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JSmith11JV Squad

735 days ago

Score 2

It isn't as deep as ESPN claims. No one has proven themselves. Rugianno is the only prospect we have who could maybe fill the void if Baldelli and Dukes do not work out.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

734 days ago

Score 2

I don't care what ESPN says. I have seen them all play with my very own eyes. Ruggiano included.

The PipDiv-I Stud

734 days ago

Score 2

I say, they are showing some signs of life! It takes to get things going, especially in their division. They are trying and from their front office I'd take that for the time being. Next step: don't finish last 2 straight years.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

734 days ago

Score 2

two straight overall #1 picks! No one but me seems to care; but the Rays 66-96 is the BEST worst record of any season in baseball HISTORY. There has literally been hundreds of teams that finished worse. There has also been teams that had worse records that won a World Series within the next two seasons.

KelsdadAll-Star

734 days ago

Score 3

The rumor first broke on Monday and the trade was completed in less than 48 hours. When something like that happens its usually the sign of a beginning of a much bigger issue.

Do the Rays believe the performance of Young last year to be all he's got?

Is the performance of Dukes in the Dominican Republic proof he's a better player?

Has Baldelli healed enough to warrant regaining his starting role, which moves Upton to right and creates a further logjam of outfielders?

Or is everyone else untouchable (Upton) or untradeable (Baldelli and Dukes) that moving Young for pitching was the only choice.

Personally, I think this is the beginning of the Rays offseason movement. I would be shocked if they didn't pick up at least one other starter and a catcher. Bartlett won't start, so why keep him? He'll be used as bait.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

734 days ago

Score 1

Bartlett will be given a chance to win the job, but even if Zobrist or Wilson play to their potential, or if Joel Guzman produces consistently...(I think they let Velendia go..) Reid Brignac is still there as starter in 2 years.

I would like to see Aki at short. I think he'd be awesome - even though he's probably a better fit at 2nd.

I have to believe the Rays are shopping more players! They almost HAVE to trade away some of the surplus to fix gaps - Like KD said - catcher and bullpen help. I think the starting staff is solid! Kazmir- Shields - Garza - Sonnanstine - and either Jackson (who is better than the numbers say), Hammel, and/or Price (who is good enough to skip Minor League ball and come right up) - I can live with that!!

Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

734 days ago

Score 1

Not out of the possibilty - Upton back to short, a healthy Baldelli in center, Dukes in right, Ruggiano in left and Crawford on another team traded for another frontline starter. I pretty sure No one is untouchable with the Rays except Kazmir and Price.

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Kwitt11Varsity Captain

733 days ago

Score 0

Upton back to short? You guys already had like the worst defense in baseball history last year...

JSmith11JV Squad

734 days ago

Score 2

Well they just signed Percival, and suddenly the bullpen is less of a liability and more of a strength. Salas, Reyes, and Troy Percival in the 7th, 8th, and 9th inning. Not to mention Percival will be great with the young guys in the pen and the rotation.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

734 days ago

Score 1

I'm not a big fan of Salas, but that's for personal reasons.

How about Wheeler/Glover Reyes, Percival? If healthy and "productive", that's not that bad! It's still not "great" but compared to every Rays team ever... WOW!

Niemann, Ridgway, Talbot on the way... It's time for the bandwagon to start filling up!!!

Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

734 days ago

Score 1

And AFL alum Calvin Medlock isn't bad either!

JSmith11JV Squad

734 days ago

Score 1

Haha yeah Manny, we're gonna have to start making some room. I'm thinking that maybe Sonnanstine should move to the pen. With his unusual delivery and great stuff, he may be more deceptive if hitter only see him once a game. And don't forget about Price. He could be ready for the show sooner than later.

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JSmith11JV Squad

734 days ago

Score 2

By the way, can I just say that I am proud to have started the longest thread in the locker room over the last few days that is actually about sports?

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Niteowl049AAA-er

734 days ago

Score 0

Ruggiano could be ready in 2008...he hit 20 home runs and had 73 RBI's in Triple A and stole 26 bases.

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Niteowl049AAA-er

734 days ago

Score 0

Ruggiano will be 25 shortly after the 2008 season starts.

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Niteowl049AAA-er

734 days ago

Score 0

2008 could be the year the Rays pass up the Orioles and Blue Jays and may even pass up one of the other two teams in AL East.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

733 days ago

Score 0

Beyond May!

KelsdadAll-Star

733 days ago

Score 0

To show just how questionable the Rays bullpen is, you just committed two years to a guy fresh off Tommy John and whose career was likely just about over before the surgery.

Despite Manny's understandable overzealousness, the Rays minor league pitching is, at best, questionable. For them to consider starting the season with #1 David Price in the rotation should answer any questions or solve any curiousities about their staff.

The Rays, at least for the next year or two, will be a poor man's Yankees or Red Sox...they will score a shitload of runs but will struggle every day to score more than their opponents.

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JSmith11JV Squad

733 days ago

Score 0

The Rays already score a shitload of runs and struggle with pitching. They also aren't considering Price as a starter already. They have plenty of other MLB ready pitching in front of him. Also, I think that Percival will end up being a better mentor and teacher than he will be a player. However, anything different than our pen last year is a welcomed upgrade.

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Categories: Lockerroom | Lockerroom by User JSmith11 | November 30, 2007 | November 2007 | Baseball lockerroom | MLB lockerroom | Tampa Bay Rays lockerroom | Delmon Young lockerroom | Matt Garza lockerroom | Minnesota Twins lockerroom

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